A passenger who died after collapsing on a Jet2 flight was with his two children at the time, it has emerged.
Chris Neill was travelling with sons Reece, 19, and Archie, 8, when he felt unwell on the flight from Bourgas, Bulgaria, to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Monday, September 16. A GoFundMe page has now been set up to get his body back from Germany, where the plane diverted.
The father had been on the way back from a holiday with his two kids in Tenerife when it is believed he suffered a severe heart attack and died. The plane made an emergency landing in Cologne and he was led off the plane to the awaiting emergency services. As he walked down the steps from the plane to the runway, the 40-year-old collapsed.
His parents Mal and Lesley are raising funds to repatriate Chris and organise his funeral. It comes as it was revealed by the family that Chris believed he had travel insurance through his bank, Halifax, but it had lapsed without renewal, leaving the family to foot the bill. The fundraising page says it will cost approximately £12,000 to £15,000 to get him home.
A Jet2.com spokesperson said: “We can confirm that flight LS3214 from Bourgas to Liverpool Johnn Lennon diverted to Cologne on Monday 16th September, due to a customer requiring medical assistance. Regrettably, we can confirm that the customer sadly passed away. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the customer’s family and friends at this very difficult time."
A Liverpool John Lennon Airport spokesperson said: "We have been made aware that flight LS3214 from Bourgas to Liverpool diverted to Cologne on Monday 16th September due to a passenger requiring medical assistance and that they sadly passed away. Our thoughts at this sad time are with the passenger’s family and friends, to whom we send our deepest condolences."
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